After watching the German merc spinning around in front of us, recovering (after luckily nobody hitting him) and then driving up the [Ticinese side of the] Gottardo last night, I can say winter tyres are worth their weight in Gold.

Kudos and a Silver medal to the Beetle convertible (German again) who admirably broke the traffic up by coming to a complete standstill and practising wheel-spins. Again, Italy's probably nice at this time of year but there is a chance of snow in Swissieland

Bronze medal goes to the only Swiss I saw in trouble in a 10-year-old BMW - I saw you go fast quite quickly and then I saw the damage you did to your car

Big-Up to the French, the Danes and others who made it past Faido before stopping in the tunnel to put chains on.

The Myopic Award goes to the Audi 100, passing me in absolutely hellish conditions at 100+; I never saw you again so I hope you're OK.

The Nutters of the Year award goes to the SIX BIKERS, fully-loaded, trying the descent from Airolo. I can only assume one or more went down the road; I only hope that the snow ploughs 5 minutes behind did not take you out

Yes, it was a fun drive from Lugano last night Who said a Saab with 250ps, 6½" wide winter wheels and WINTER mode on the autobox can't do the school run (<- irony wink )